El Cajon Elks to host Oktoberfest celebration

EL CAJON:
The El Cajon Elks will be holding their 35th annual Oktoberfest celebration, with German food, beer and music, on Oct. 17.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the lodge at 1400 E. Washington Ave. in El Cajon. A parade and “tapping of the beer keg” ceremony will be held at noon. The public is invited, and the event is free.

German food — including sauerkraut, bratwursts, potato pancakes and steak sandwiches — will be available. Music will be provided by Hans Reuter's “Alpen Muskanten Band.”

For more information, call (619) 444-1812, ext. 100. —A.K.

Santee votes to lay off 3 special ed assistants

SANTEE:
The Santee school board voted 3-1 this week to lay off three special education assistants. Trustee Dustin Burns voted against the action, and Trustee Dan Bartholomew was absent.

Minnie Malin, the district's human resources director, said the layoffs were part of a restructuring effort by the district as a result of declining special education student enrollment. She said the district distributed layoff notices to the three part-time special education instructional assistants on Wednesday. The notices give 45 days of warning, meaning the positions will not be eliminated until about the end of October. The individuals could be rehired in the future, she said.

Malin said the layoffs are the first in the district this school year.

— M.C

Lemon Grove to hold its first Ancestor Day

LEMON GROVE:
The Lemon Grove Historical Society will host its first Ancestors' Day event Sept. 26 from 2 to 6 p.m. The event will celebrate the culture, history and diversity of Lemon Grove, offering performances by singers and dancers, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Choir, Germania Choir and Aquetzalli Ballet Folklorico of Lemon Grove. County Supervisor Dianne Jacob and Lemon Grove Mayor Mary Sessom are both scheduled to speak.

The event is free, and cake, cupcakes and lemonade will be available. The event will be held at Civic Center Park, 3200 Main St. For more information, call (619) 460-4353 or e-mail lghistorical@yahoo.com.—M.C.